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3 Top Reasons For Regain After Weight Loss Surgery
Making the decision to have weight loss surgery is a very big deal. It seems obvious to say that when someone agrees to weight-loss surgery they're desperate for help to change the way they're living, or not fully living their lives. Everyone goes into the procedure ready and willing to surgically alter their anatomy hoping for a better future.
So why is it that so many will fall short of losing the optimal amount of weight for their health and will actually regain within 3 years much if not all of the weight they lost? Some studies say 1/3 of patients will regain most of their weight post-surgery. I think the number is actually higher because many people who regain simply fall out of contact with their bariatric surgeon and support staff because they feel ashamed, so the statistics do not include these people. So, why do most people regain the weight? What can you do to help insure that you will be one of the successful long-term losers of your excess weight? By examining why people fail you can create a plan for how you will succeed.

The government agency, National Institutes for Health (NIH) defines weight-loss surgery as "merely a tool that helps people get a new start toward maintaining long-term good health. The surgery alone will not help someone lose weight and keep it off. Together with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet and daily exercise, surgery will help an individual lose weight and maintain the weight loss." Please read that a few times. That is how important this quote is! The surgery alone will not help someone lose weight and keep it off.

We as weight-loss surgery patients have a history of seeking comfort, happiness and pleasure through food. We wouldn't be here if that weren't true. Me included. The process of surgically altering our anatomies does nothing to remove from us the tendency to seek comfort in familiar ways but assures there will be physical suffering if we do. Post-surgery we will still have the same brain that is used to comforting us with food, and we will still have the fingers and the arms that are used to lifting food to the same mouth to find comfort and pleasure. It is critically important that the WLS patient seek out new ways to soothe, comfort, and find pleasure in their world other than by eating.

ONE main reason patients regain their weight is they search for ways to get around the surgery, still thinking of food as primarily a source of pleasure, not a source of fuel that can be pleasurable. This is often done relying on liquid calories, which may pass more easily, like high calorie coffee or juice bar drinks or alcohol. This is also done post-operatively by trying to maintain the presence of "trigger foods" in their lives. "Trigger foods" are often foods from the patient's past that helped cause obesity, do not satisfy hunger but instead create a craving. Many are high-calorie and highly processed, not nutritious. Trigger foods can include chocolate, chips, crackers, bread, cookies, ice cream, pudding, lattes, frapuccinos and alcoholic beverages. Really, any food can be a "trigger food" if there is so much pleasure in the "mouth-feel" or taste that repeating the pleasurable experience takes on more importance than actually feeding hunger. Very successful patients cultivate a mostly trigger-free post- surgical life. Bariatric surgeons know the most common reason for regain. The most common post- surgical complication is "noncompliance." Non-compliance is a fancy word that means the patient is not eating and exercising the way he/she agreed to before surgery. These people "talk the talk." The successful patient "walks the walk" after surgery and changes how they eat and move.

A SECOND reason people often regain beginning in the second or third year post-op is that the "honeymoon" is over. The "honeymoon" generally encompasses the first 12 to 18 months post- surgery. During this time many patients will say, "I could eat all the chocolate and ice cream I wanted and still lose weight. I didn't have to try and the weight just came off." This is often true because the body has been through such a shock after surgery that it takes months for the body to reset itself and learn to function with its' new physiology. Patients who regain their weight often believe that this "honeymoon period" is the new way that it will always be and don't adopt healthy eating patterns. So when their "honeymoon period" ends as it will they believe that the surgery has somehow failed them. In reality they have failed their surgery! During the first 12-18 months post-op it is essential to develop healthy patterns around food and exercise. This is the time when it is actually easiest to do and to not do so wastes a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to begin a great new life with positive momentum.

A THIRD reason many patients regain much of their lost weight is a lack of support. Humans are social animals and we desire and need the support of each other throughout our lives. For thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years people coming together as a family or a community over food has been a way we connect with each other. Post-surgery, when the patient isn't able to eat what others are eating or in the quantities others are eating, or others are eating their 'trigger foods", life can feel very stressful and lonely. This can be compounded by being around unsupportive people or people who want to be supportive but don't know how. Patients fail by not surrounding themselves with supportive people in a safe environment where they also must be accountable for their actions and behavior with food and their bodies. It is key to have a community of professionals and non-professionals who understand the challenges and hardships faced by those carving a new life with a new anatomical structure. There are online and in-person support groups. Even patients who've gone abroad for weight loss surgery can often use the support services available with their local medical group's Bariatric department. Creating relationships that support and assist you in becoming a healthier person and that hold you accountable for making healthy choices are key.

These are my top three. What would you add to this list? What plan will you create to deal with the items you add to this list? Who will support you on this journey of your life.....for your life
*This comment is of particular interest:*
As a family nurse practitioner in bariatric surgery care and podcaster of the Weight Loss Surgery Podcast I think you bring up some very important points. However, where I take exception is with the delicate matter of blame, aka “noncompliance” woven throughout your piece.
You begin by asking, “…why is it so many fall short of losing the optimal amount of weight for their health and will actually regain within 3 years much if not all of the weight they lost.” When I read this sentences I wondered a few things: Who are you referring to when you state, “so many?" Who has made the decision of what is the “optimal amount of weight [lost] for their health?" And finally, who gets to decide on their “health” to begin with? I agree with you that weight regain happens, but your implication that any regain is problematic is simply not true and perpetuates misconception of success vs failure.
There are numerous studies discussing weight regain, too many to highlight here. But for a summary on this issue, one needs only go to the ASMBS website to read the following regarding weight regain: ""As many as 50 percent of patients may regain a small amount of weight (approximately 5 percent) two years or more following their surgery. However, longitudinal studies find that most bariatric surgery patients maintain successful weight-loss long-term. ‘Successful’ weight-loss is arbitrarily defined as weight-loss equal to or greater than 50 percent of excess body weight. Often, successful results are determined by the patient, by their perceived improvement in quality of life. In such cases, the total retained weight-loss may be more, or less, than this arbitrary definition. Such massive and sustained weight reduction with surgery is in sharp contrast to the experience most patients have previously had with non-surgical therapies."” https://asmbs.org/pa...-misconceptions
You go on to outline three main reasons people regain weight: 1) Eating around their surgery by consuming “trigger foods” that give pleasure but are not nutritious, 2) Lack of practicing appropriate weight-loss-sustaining behaviors in the first 12-18 months which then become habits and carry them forward after the “honeymoon” of rapid weight loss is over, 3) Lack of support.
Regarding the first of your arguments, the truth is the biology of our eating behaviors is very complicated. Far way more complicated, in fact, than our conscious brain can control through willpower or skillpower. And even (often?) more complicated than our scientific ability to manipulate our anatomy through the surgical intervention of bariatric surgery. It could be that a person is driven to eat around their surgery because the hormones that drive hunger are stronger than the hormones that drive satiety and surgery did not fix that for them. I am not saying that it is ok to have trigger foods around simply because it’s ones biological imperative to eat pleasurable foods, nutrition and weight loss be damned, but I am saying that biology sometimes trumps all and blaming someone for their unconscious biological imperative does not help them, it only adds to their mounting shame. Unfortunately, we are in our infancy of understanding the hormonal regulations of hunger and satiety and how manipulation of the GI tract changes these hormones. If you are interested in learning more, then I refer you to the work of Dr Randy Seeley, PhD and and Dr Lee Kaplan.
Regarding your second and third arguments, I honestly feel that number three, lack of support, drives many of the behaviors that result in peoples struggles after surgery including not practicing healthy behaviors as early as possible. When it comes to bariatric surgery, it takes a village. I firmly believe, that the center of that village needs to be the bariatric surgery practice; the village square if you will, where all gather to learn and connect. When I hear of someone who is struggling I wonder a number of things: Were they educated enough and appropriately by their surgical practice? Just because you can perform surgery on someone, does not mean they are ready. Did they have access to a support group before and after surgery? If they are struggling with anything, including weight regain, after bariatric surgery, did their practice create a culture of inclusiveness and non-bias that is welcoming to all their patients, not just the practices definition of successful patients? Were their family and friends on board and if not, did their bariatric surgery practice create an environment conducive to connection with a new community of support? When a patient struggles after bariatric surgery, in my opinion, it reflects more on the practice than on the person. I realize that is a controversial thing to say that I may catch some heat for, but I stand by my opinion.
Sara, I know without a doubt you and I are on the same page when it comes to believing in and supporting bariatric surgery patients long term success, however that success is defined. What I worry about, however, is when we start distilling weight regain after bariatric surgery down to a few patient-centric elements without giving credit to how complicated these issues are; how we are early in our understanding of the science (and we have not even talked about weight regain due to surgical complications because let’s not forget, the surgeries can have their own shortcomings separate from human behaviors); and how much bariatric surgery practices bear the responsibility of patient selection, preparation, and support; what we inadvertently end up doing is what we have done a millions times before and to our patient's detriment- we take the easy way out by shifting the burden of blame back onto the person, the person who has a complicated and progressive disease known as obesity.
Sincerely,
Reeger Cortell, FNP
http://www.bariatricpal.com/page/articles.html/_/support/3-top-reasons-for-regain-after-weight-loss-surgery-r520

Maintaining Weight Without Losing More , My Dietician's Guidelines Today at Visit
I am 3 weeks shy of my 6/12 anniversary and have passed the dieticians goal weight for me and the lower goal weight I set for me (she had agreed that it was realistic and achievable).
I have reached a weight at which I don't want to lose any more, with a BMI of 20.68
I saw my dietician today (I have had a total of 7 visits) with the goal for today's visit of getting guidelines on how to maintain my weight where it is and not to lose anymore.
I was congratulated on the weight loss that I have achieved, and she recognised that I already eat a healthy diet and am very well read and informed.
So, basically the advice she gave me was to concentrate on protein and healthy fats and to increase amounts of nuts, avocado.
(She knew I was anti-carbohydrate - hey, that's why I got obese in the first place! in that I didn't want to maintain using strategies such as eating rice...)
We also discussed the new Healthy Eating Pyramid and it's move away from refined carbohydrates...and also how I believe that all the previous 'healthy diet guidelines' were detrimental for those on the slippery slope to and with diabetes Type 2.
Another concern of mine is since me having an ileus and small bowel obstruction recently following abdominal wall surgery and basically not eating for 2/52 my stomach appears to have...shrunk. My intake in a single sitting appears to be about 1/4 cup food... ie the size of one poached egg. And I don't snack between meals. But I am sure that this situation will remedy itself
So I am prepared that I will probably drop another kg or so until my intake improves, and according to my research if my carb intake is still low increasing healthy fats won't actually make me gain weight, in fact I'll keep on losing.
I'll ask her what her 'end point' weight for me would be, she was happy for my end point to be what it is now, but wondering if she would say another couple of kgs lighter? She is tiny herself, about my height, but I see her as much smaller.

The new Healthy Eating Pyramid News — Posted 25/05/15
Sugar is out – quinoa and tofu are in. Here’s what you need to know about the Healthy Eating Pyramid’s latest makeover.
For the first time in 15 years, the iconic Healthy Eating Pyramid by Nutrition Australia has been updated to reflect the latest recommendations for a healthy diet. Developed in line with the current Australian Dietary Guidelines, the new pyramid was designed to clear up some of the growing confusion around nutrition, influenced by fad diets and other health ‘trends’. “The new Pyramid cuts through the misleading information and fad diets that are getting so much attention, and provides Australians with a credible, flexible and realistic guide to eating well,” says Lucinda Hancock, Nutrition Australia Vic Division, Executive Officer. “You don’t need to follow a restrictive diet or cut out entire food groups to eat healthier, because this can also lead to other issues such as yoyo dieting or nutrient deficiencies. “We want to get the message across that for most people the simplest way to eat healthier is to cut down on junk food and sugary drinks and to eat mostly from the core food groups – especially to eat more fruit and vegetables.”
"The simplest way to eat healthier is to cut down on junk food and sugary drinks and to eat more fruit and vegetables.”
What’s changed? First, you’ll probably notice that added sugars and junk foods are gone. While these foods used to be included in the tiny top layer as ‘occasional’ foods, the new pyramid recommends only healthy fats in this top layer. A side note now recommends limiting salt and added sugar as much as possible. So what’s been added? Popular health foods, like quinoa, cous cous and soba noodles, along with more dairy and meat alternatives like tofu and soy milk. It also encourages drinking lots of water and enjoying herbs and spices to flavour foods without using salt. The way these foods are grouped has also changed. The last pyramid grouped foods into three layers – food we should Eat Most (plant-based foods), those we should Eat Moderately (dairy, meat and their alternatives), and those we should Eat in Small Amounts (added fats and sugars.) The new pyramid has four layers, separating foods into five groups to provide clearer information about how each one contributes to a healthy diet: • Vegetables, fruits and legumes. These make up the biggest layer – fill up on all the broccoli, zucchini, peas, carrots,, capsicum, tomatoes, cauliflower, lentils, bananas and pears you like! A rainbow of colourful options are included for a balanced nutrient intake. • Grains. This is the next biggest group, with a new focus on nutrient-dense whole grains. Think quinoa, cous couse, soba noodles, wholegrain cereals and oats. • Dairy and alternatives. Eat moderate amounts of milk, yoghurt, cheese and dairy alternatives like soy milk. • Meat and alternatives. Protein foods are included on the same level as dairy – moderate amounts of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds. • Healthy fats. The small top layer is reserved for healthy fats – like olive oil and almonds – replacing the sugar, butter and margarine that used to be ‘sometimes’ foods. Find out more at nutritionaustralia.org

Went out for my daughter's birthday dinner tonight and met my ex's wife for the first time. (They've been married about 5 years I think.) As always, I checked out the menu beforehand to see what was bandit friendly and had decided on the scallop salad as I've been pining for scallops for ages. My band has been really tight the last few days, and I knew nerves would see to my band being even tighter but I thought I'd be fine as long as I took my time. One small bite of garlic bread, a taste of artichoke heart, a couple of leaves of rocket and 4 scallops later I gave my son the usual instructions, "Don't let them take my dinner ... I'll be back," and casually made my way across the restaurant to go pray to the porcelain gods begging them to just please let me get the stuck piece of food out so I could go back and finish my meal without anyone noticing my dash away from the table so soon after starting my meal ... especially as I'd just been to the toilet for more normal peeing related matters just before I got my meal. I was ever so grateful for the toilets being far enough away from the table that no one could hear my very animated heaving, and that I was the only person in there. I so wish I could master silent expulsion.

I thought I was done as the pain was gone so casually made my way back to the table and sat down to knowing sympathetic looks from my family. I thought I'd better have a few sips of water to make sure I was good to go which only served to confirm that I wasn't and that I was now sliming. I then gave my son the escalated instructions as I pushed my plate away, "Let them take it. This meal is over," before making a very urgent dash back to the toilets which, unfortunately, weren't empty this time. My sister was in there with my 8 year old niece but I didn't have the luxury of waiting 'til they were done so made my apologies and got down to business, chatting with my sister and niece inbetween heaves. I came out and my niece asked me if I'd been vomiting so I then had to give her a quick lesson on lap bands and food getting stuck and the only way to stop the pain is to vomit. She took it all in her stride in typical 8 year old fashion.

So then I had to make my way back to the table, again, with red watery eyes, and even more sympathetic knowing looks from my family. To top it off the waitress came and asked me if I was finished with my meal and as I passed my still full plate to her I said, "Yes thank you. It was lovely!" Because it was. She just gave me this incredulous look that said, sure, I can see that by the fact you ate practically none of it.

So now, my ex's wife has met me for the first time and what she would have seen was a woman who ordered an entree salad for dinner (the plate was piled high with rocket ... just rocket and a few scallops really), plus garlic bread, and then ate only a few bits of it and a small bite of garlic bread before running off to the toilet, twice, having most likely been vomiting each time, only to return and hand over her still full plate saying it was lovely. I must have looked like some crazy woman who goes out and says, "Just a salad and glass of water thanks," and to make it worse, barely even touches it before vomiting up what little she had, AND her family all being complicit in it and understanding and sympathetic about it.

At least I can see the funny side of it. And you know what ... tonight, half the size I was when I left my ex (partly) because he went off me because I was too fat ... in my knee high boots, leggings, short skirt and long top, with my hair, make up and nails done ... at least I looked fabulous doing it ... lol.

Wow wow and yep wow, it's been a while since I put fingertips to keyboard for a blog and it's time to rant as alot has happened. But firstly I am scrolling through the forum as I do, using the Next Topic arrow (bottom right of the pages) in the Private Members Forum. Top 4 topics are embarrassed and ashamed of weight gain, how do you stay motivated, so disappointed in myself and need some motivation. I'm sitting here and it's painful to read. Not in a judgmental way but in a it hurts my heart way. Have we not all experienced teasing as a kid due to our weight, years of feeling out of place or wondering if this chair will hold me? For so many of us we have stood up and done something about it by having WLS and yet we are still beating ourselves up with powerful words such as disappointed in myself, ashamed and stupid. For those that do not know me as well as others, please don't see me as someone who preaches all the positive stuff and is one of those people who is like a vomiting rainbow of happiness where ever she goes. I've spent my time in the dark and now realise I don't need to anymore. Shedding 40 kilos has made a heap of difference and yep I still have more to lose but damn, we are still living our lives aren't we? I reckon I could chase a kilo or two to lose for ever if I wanted and NEVER be content. But that isn't living is it? So many of you inspire me and motivate me, in ways you do not even realise... so I'm asking as a fellow WLS buddy be nice to yourself, you are a success and you aren't defined as what you lose or eat or gain in a week.
As for me, well the reversed T2 Diabetes is stabilising well. Blood test this month to confirm but BSL's are good. I'm going to have a small amt of 0.5ml removed from my band at the end of the month as I am taking an impromptu trip to London, Paris and Amsterdam! Yes very exciting and I am bursting at the seems about it. So to air on the side of caution (like my NZ trip last year) I will have a bit of fluid removed. Then it will stay out for a while as I am off to Bali for a week for a wedding in September. If anyone has a must see place in any of these locations let me know and I will add it to the list.
Perth has been chilly lately and my band is affected by the cold this winter, unlike last winter as much. Yesterday I went out for lunch and had a Mushroom and Leek Risotto. Was awful and dry (I blame the Chef!) and I couldn't get it down at all. And yet at dinner time, fish, roast veg and stewed apple afterwards all went down a treat. So many foods are still fickle and others well, are just a delight. Bread and toast are fine and wraps, especially toasted ones, but I am choosing not to eat them as it makes me crave the bad carbs like chips. Which is my weakness (and KFC Potato and Gravy ) but sometimes choices are limited and a small sandwich is okay. I recently worked at Supanova and loved it! 3 days of long hours but as a Supanova volunteer sandwiches were supplied so this was one such instance where a sammich saved the day. And yes Supanova was awesome! Had my photo taken with Adam Baldwin *girly giggle* he is sooo sexy!
Time for some breakfast and a walk. It's 7.30am here and currently 4.1C brrrr time to bust out the beanie. Be safe everyone and kind to yourself xo
AB

Well here I am and where have I been??? Great question!?!? Life has somehow taken hold again leaving me with little to none down time!!

So i am now 45kgs light than this time last year!!! YAY!! Thought it would be more but I will take that!! I am according to him and I quote a " model patient who has taken to life as a bandit like a duck to water"!!!

Still a work in progress but getting there.

Only had one fill in past 8 months i havent needed it and had no issues with my band , I still love it !!!

Surgeon happy so I am happy ðŸ˜ðŸ˜

Now back at work ( I am a Property Manager) and that has taken some adjusting being back, I no longer have the luxury to exercise everyday whenever I want and now that it is winter exercise is almost nothing, and weight loss has slowed right down.....BUT life is still bloody great!!

I am feeling a million bucks, and its nice to be back at work and have people stop in their tracks to make a comment on my weight loss!!!

Pariticipated in the Westpac Helicpoter Rescue Coastal Walk last Sunday. 14kms along the coast walking on the beach, headland, rocks, bush tracks and up bloody cliffs and absolutely loved it and so proud of myself for not only doing it but finishing it!!! And what a bizarre feeling actually liking mysellf for the first time in my life!!!

Saw the surgeon today re my hernia(s).
"No need to do urgently but will need to be done at some stage."
I am only the third patient to develop these post sleeve.
The first was a male farmer who went back to work too soon...
the second was a woman who he doesn't know why she developed them.
And then me. I said that the drip pole in hospital steered like a really bad supermarket trolley!
Booked in for 24th June (ie this month) at SJOG Murdoch ( not happy with the nursing care there).
Will be painful - they use metal tacks to join the mesh to the muscle (ick) and will be in for a couple of days.
This time taking my lap-top and a modem.

I've been away for nearly 2 1/2 years. In that time I have had 6 miscarriages, one ectopic pregnancy. And have not lost any more weight. 4 weeks ago I weighed 116kg, I'm now 108kg due to the Cambridge program- which I can stick to.
Just about anything goes through my band except shredded meat, even though it is apparently fully inflated. My advice to anyone considering this surgery? get a sleeve.
A sleeve will restrict fluid, food, anything you try to put down it. Whereas a band only focuses on satiety, and allows a lot to pass it.
Considering I'm the sort that ate a lot of processed convenience food - it was doomed to fail. Dietician explained that processed food has already been partly 'chewed' in the manufacturing process - which is why biscuits/cake etc go down so easily. So there you go.
I have learned a lot about excuses this past year:
I believed in my own physical weakness.
I saw a minor setback as an excuse to give up and turn back
I was afraid of failure so didn't even try, or never celebrated even the smallest of successes
I wanted a quick fix
I wanted a quick fix
I really wanted a quick fix
I was focussing on other people to take the attention off me and what I was doing
I believed people when they said I would never do it
I'm bone lazy and hate exercise.
But, this year something snapped when I realized that I have about 3mm of cartilage left on my right hip, and if I don't lose this weight, i face a painful life of osteoarthritis and facing an early hip replacement. This time it is about health and longevity.

Hi all,
I was banded November 2013 and since then have actually gained 2 kilos.
I am in my thirties weigh 95kg - 170cm tall. I don't have huge amounts to loose and although my BMI isn't enough to qualify me, the fact that I had gestational diabetes allowed me to have surgery.
I have had many adjustment's - putting more fluid in, then taking it out and this has been going on and on and on...
When I have my period, the band feels so tight and cant eat anything, then for the other 3 weeks of the month it is too loose and I eat too much.
I went back today, and they agree that this has not worked for me mainly due to my hormone levels.
Dr Bessell isn't a huge fan of the Sleeve - he doesn't like the idea of throwing out a huge portion of your stomach, which is something that concerns me as well.
The Bypass does sound good, but it scares me a lot.
I would love to hear your feedback on this.

OK, so I definitely not the best at writing on here, although i do check in every few days to see how some people are doing. I think since i last wrote i had so much happen. i moved to the country, stated a new job, hated new job, got pregnant, moved back to melbourne and went on mat leave. Since i have my daughter in September 2014 I have really struggled. Struggled with weight, with being a new mum, feelings for my daughter's father. So many emotions. A huge thing i have always struggled with it weight. I've always had that thought that people didn't like me because I was fat, boys never liked me because i was fat, wasn't good enough because I was fat, would never be a mother because I was fat. When I lost weight I had more confidence and felt better in myself. I didn't have so many hang ups and got more attention from boys. Fairly certain that was to do with a positive energy I put out there. I was just so much happier, even though a fair way off goal weight who isn't happy losing 45kg or there abouts. i had bad PCOS. Weight loss corrected that. Finally I got to be a mummy, something I really thought would never happen, never having the right guy or anyone who would want a baby with me. (i actually asked a really good friend and he is the father of my baby) During the first 3 or so months of pregnancy I didn't put on much weight maybe a few kgs. Never had morning sickness, heart burn or anything else often associated with pregnancy. I did however start to pack on the weight. When my daughter was born at full term and only weighing 3.13kg i thought I would lose the weight fast, especially breastfeeding as they say you burn several hundred calories a day. i lost an initial 10kg or so. Then it has slowly crept back. at 6 weeks post baby I had some fill put in. Went back and had a little more a few weeks later. seemed too much so took some out. then few weeks later seemed still too much so took more out. Again we took more out on the next visit as was still too tight. After many unfills to the point of having less fluid than in pregnancy i still regurgitate on a daily basis, sometimes even on mushed banana i give my daughter. Surgeon said to me he thought my band has slipped as i have next to no fill and shouldn't be getting stuck and vomiting. So I went for a gastroscopy yesterday. Just after in recovery he tells me my band is sitting too high and needs to come out as it just isn't working. Needless to say I was devastated and started crying. Part of my was hoping the band had slipped that he could put it back in the right place and then the weight can start coming back down instead of up. I have to wait to see him again for us to work out what we are going to do. I did ask if i can have another band and he said it's best we discuss it in his office. I'm fairly certain that is a "no". I trust him as he is a brilliant surgeon but I am so scared of the future now. I'm scared to go back to my pre band weight with no band in at all. i know that even if he was to put another band in i will likely have to wait a while and that scares me too. I'm scared i won't have the self control I need and will over eat. I'm quite sure that my band literally saved my life as if i continued at the weight I was i may have had a heart attack or stroke by now. I know another option could be a sleeve and if he says that is best i think i would do it. i just can't lose the weight alone without some tool to help me. i just feel so lost, and like i had a massive kick in the face. I know the first blog i ever wrote the day before being banded i said i didn't want to be the fat mum who couldn't play with their kid. now I have a baby i need to be here for her and be the best i can for her. i feel so crap that I can't control my food urges without a tool, but I don't want to die fat. i can't help but feel so sorry for myself right now. And even though my surgeon said it's not my fault the band has moved i can't help but wonder if there is something i ever did that made it happen. On top of all of this there is a course I want to start in second week of July. It's for nursing and I got really good marks for my assessment to get in. It's so close and it has always been my dream to be a nurse and I just don't want to put it off, but now with the problem with the band needing to come out I don't know what i'll do. It just feels like when something awesome happens or is about to that something really sh$t then happens. Sorry I know it's a long rant and there are worse things in the world and at least i have a roof over my head and food to put in my stomach, i'm just as I said feeling sorry for myself, and I think so confused. I know that not much can be done till I see my surgeon again and chat with him in about 2 weeks, but I just needed to vent and as I am a secret bandit this seemed the appropriate place, and the place where maybe some of you understand as none of my friends really do.
hopefully i'll have some good news soon, but thanks for reading my rant to anyone who does and hope you have a good day/night
Ness

My Journey has finally been worth it...
Welcome to the world my Baby Boy Talon.
Born on the 13th April 2015.
Weighing 8 Pound 11 Ounces. (3.94kg)
53 cm long with a head circumference of 36.5cm.
This little boy is my world now. If it wasn't for having the sleeve surgery I never would have discovered the joy of loving the tiniest little human made by me and my hubby.
Literally the best day of my life.
Now the story...
I was booked in at 6pm to go into the hospital for an induction because low and behold I was 8 days overdue! ( I spent the whole pregnancy thinking he would come early because he may not grow properly thanks to not being able to eat much )
4.30 that morning I got up to go to the toilet and as I'm walking to the bathroom something comes trickling down my leg. I try and hold it thinking I just peed myself but I couldn't stop the flow. I was like wait a minute I think that's my waters!
By 5.30 we were at the hospital getting examined but as the doctor didn't start until 8am we had to wait. By 8.30 we got the news that the doctor thought it would be ok for us to wait until 11.30am and we were allowed out on day release to try and work on bringing on contractions as what contractions I was having had disappeared.
We went and had coffee and a cupcake at the local cake shop, where embarrassingly I leaked my waters on a chair. We then went for a walk along the river where I had some mild contractions and thought best to head back to the hospital.
By the time I got back to the hospital the contractions had yet again disappeared so started doing happy laps around the hospital. Now Gawler Hospital in Adelaide is a very small hospital so didn't take long to complete one lap and I did probably about 1000 in total!
By this time one of my support people (my mum) had gone and ran some errands and hubby was out getting himself something to eat and drink so I was in the hospital room by myself. I wanted a drink and decided to lean over a chair and reach into my esky to grab a bottle of water. From then on worse pains of my life!! Somehow just that movement started moving my baby into my pelvis and I was in pure agony. Any sort of position I got into didn't help, sitting on the fitball, leaning over the bed, sitting on the bed, laying on the bed, standing and swaying, doing more happy laps around the hospital, nothing was helping. It was around the 4.30pm mark and my contractions were 3-5 minutes apart lasting 1-3 minutes and I hadn't yet been examined by the doctor and I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore so I demanded my hubby go and get the nurse (by this time my mum was back).
I was taken to the birthing suite and finally examined. I asked for some pain relief and started on a low dose of the Gas. Took 2 puffs maybe 6 times and couldn't have it anymore as it was drying out my mouth so bad.
All along I wanted a water birth but the pain was excruciating and it would take 20mins to fill the bath. I waited 15mins and in that time I was twisting and turning into a pretzel trying to push with my legs closed at only 6cm dilated. After what felt like hours I was like what are my pain relief options because I cant handle it anymore. By the time the midwife got through the options the bath was ran and I was asked if I just wanted to try it out. By this time I was examined again and I had gone from 6cm to 10 within 5 minutes.
Jumped in the bath 30 minutes later Talon was born. The time was 6.35pm. I had spent 14 hours in labour, 3.5 hours of that in active labour.
Although painful (I ended up with a 1st degree tear), it was just an amazing experience.
We stayed in hospital until I thought I had the hang of breastfeeding which was 5 days.
The next day we had our first visit with the community nurse/midwife. She didn't have any good news. My milk hadn't fully come in and my baby was starving, dehydrated, jaundiced and had lost too much weight (410gm loss) . It was suggested we trial formula top ups and attempting the breastfeed. We had 24 hours to turn it around.
We did 2 feeds and went to wake bubs up for another (we were feeding 3-4 hourly). He was unresponsive. He was breathing and moving his arms but couldn't physically wake up enough to feed. He was in what they call survival mode. We rushed him to the hospital where they managed to get him awake and crying. They tested him for dehydration and I was confirmed he had a mild form. We were admitted to hospital to continue what we were doing at home but in a controlled environment so he could be monitored. We were discharged after 2 nights as Talon had regained some of his birth weight (170gms in 2 days) where we continued the rig a moral.
His now a healthy bouncing 4.5kg bubby and has grown 3.5cm.
I stopped breastfeeding putting bubs to the boob but I feed him expressed breast milk (what I can as my supply is so low thanks to possibly my thyroid condition, I have tried everything else to increase it but nothing seems to work, trying one more medication but if that doesn't work we will just stay on formula only) and his still has formula top ups because without them he wouldn't be here.
His almost 5 weeks old now, how time flies. It felt like only yesterday I was announcing my pregnancy even though I barely remember what it was like without him.
His the perfect baby and is almost sleeping though out the night already! Barely cries and is already making milestones. We recently found out he has a lip and tongue tie so could be why his a bit refluxy and possibly why he didn't breastfeed well. But his an overall very settled and chilled out little man.
Hubby is an amazing father and totally smitten. He takes very good care of us.
Total weight gain for my pregnancy was 5.4kg and by the time I went home from hospital the first time I was already pre pregnancy weight. 2 weeks later total weight loss was 7kg. However I'm back up 2.1kg thanks to taking the lactation drugs and consuming lactation cookies and smoothies which I'm not too happy with but once I stop feeding bubs breast milk I will get back on the band wagon and try and remember when to stop eating before I make myself sick!
Thank you everyone for your amazing support! Xxx
Attached is a few professional photos we had taken when he was almost 2 weeks.

I haven't been in here in SO long. I really wanted to use this blog to document my journey so I could read back when times are tough and I lose motivation further down the track, and need a boost. I got sidetracked with a weight loss surgery group on facebook though, and in the meantime a shitload of stuff has happened.
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So my mini omega loop bypass is booked at norwest private for 10th June. ðŸ˜³ðŸ˜³ðŸ˜³ I'm on my 3rd day of opti, ðŸ˜¥ðŸ˜¥ and I will honestly mug the next person I see carrying chocolate. I'm so freaking hungry and desperate for my comfort food that I almost don't trust myself out in public hahaha. The optifast doesn't taste so bad, but holy crap there's not much of it! I'm having 2 shakes or so a day, a soup or bar, and a bowl of stir fry I made. I'm supplementing it with lots of diet cordial, tea, Pepsi max, processed chicken (don't ask, I'm so hungry I think I'm hallucinating and have convinced myself that sandwich meat is yummy on its own!!).
My stomach is gurgling and crap so much that it's interrupting me. It's so loud!! My blood sugars are goodish. My ketones are at 0.2. I have half a block of wittackers coconut rough sitting on my bedside and it's taking everything to not go and scoff the whole lot down.
Ugh. Day 3. Uuuuuuuuughghhhhhhhhhhhh. I even had the chicken soup yesterday and didn't vomit. It took a shitload of salt and pepper to hide the taste, but I did it.
Oh, I'm so hungry for chocolate. Mmmmmm chocolate. Ugh.
Anyways. Not sure where I left off the other journal entry?? So I ruled out the band, firstly. Then went for a curiosity appointment at circle of care, having read a bit about bypass, and left the room absolutely positively steaming!!! I was so angry I was in tears for days. Why, you may ask? Because not a single doctor in all my years has ever told me just HOW a bypass can radically help a TYPE 1 diabetic. It's well known what these surgeries do for type 2, and it's amazing. Dr Roy smiled and calmly drew pictures for me when I said, "I know the surgery can't do anything for my diabetes. I have the wrong type..". He then gave me a master class in gut hormones. I won't re type all I learned here, but I am looking at a reduction in my insulin levels of around 80 bolus units per day to maybe less than 20. The basal? Huh! I have to wait to see how the ketosis unfolds, but that's going to be reduced too. Did you know, it's a truckload of insulin (among other things) that helps us HANG ON to all our weight??? My goddamn diabetes was what was killing me. My endo, the dietician, the educators, my gp, all have been saying "manage your sugars, manage your diabetes" but not a one ever said this, albeit drastic, surgery would help as it will.
3.5 weeks to go. I need to make a mousse. And eat it.

I haven't really been nervous so far and I've been way more excited than anything else. Now that the surgery is tomorrow I am feeling the anxiety creep up. As much as I have researched and read I still don't know exactly what to expect - I mean everyone is different right? I feel a bit like I am going to miss some foods and like I will never be able to eat them again. But that's probably far from the truth...
I go into hospital at 12pm. Everything is in order. Tomorrow I will officially be a bander! Here's to nothing!!

So I am 4 days into Opti and I am on struggle street. I am day dreaming about food and the smell makes me have a food-gasm! I know that it's worth it and it's to make the surgery less risky. I cheated this morning, I woke in the middle of the night and ate rice bubbles, I was so hungry and I was half asleep which didn't help my self-will. I then had a bacon and egg mcmuffin for breakfast. Not good.
I started at the gym this week which has been great (if I wasn't so tired!!) I had a PT session that really kicked my ass. I plan to go the next 3 days but rest up the day before surgery. But I wont push as hard as today just trying to get moving.
I'm super excited only 5 days out, the weekend will fly by and then it's just two days
I paid the last of the money to the surgeon today, I love the receptionist at his practice she is awesome - just really lovely.
I am been downloading movies, and tv series to get ready for my recovery at home, I plan on laying down as much as possible until I feel better. Although I am keen to start exercising as soon as possible so will start with easy walking as soon as surgeon says I can.
In the last hour I've had an opti shake, and 2 bowl of this cauliflower and cabbage curry and I am still STARVING!!!!! Ahhhh my body wants carbs, I will be strong. Off to the sugar free jelly maybe if I just fill my tummy it will be less hungry :/

I had my op in 2010 and although I have always had a problem with vomiting it has got coniderably worse over the last few months. In December I had a couple of days when I couldn't even keep water down, as I was at the start of a huge 6 weeks overseas holiday I panicked and got a local hospital to remove all the fluid. I honestly thought this would put a stop to the constant vomiting. I live in remote Australia with very poor access to medical services and certainly no access to any with lap band experience. I haven't had a fill since I was emptied in December but the vomiting is getting worse, everyday this week, but usually only after my main meal in the evening, food just gets 'stuck' at the back on my throat and won't go down, I take soda water to clear it but it often takes several bout of vomiting before it's clear. It's getting worse too often I'm going to bed still feeling very uncomfortable and even waking up in the morning with the same feeling and unable to get breakfast down. During these periods nothing goes down including water vomiting it all back. In 35 + degree heat not keeping water down is not good. Is this vomiting still related to my band or should I be worried it's something else. Has anyone else experience this continual discomfort and vomiting without any fill? If I was losing weight it may be more tolerable but I am continually hungry and putting on all the weight I have lost in the last few years. I would be really grateful for any advice or suggestions as to what might be wrong.

I have been on this journey towards my band for about a year. To begin I needed private cover, although I guess you could say the idea started quite awhile before I did that. I had to google the shit out of it, and ask advice from friends and family (family mostly). I was lucky enough that Dad had been previously banded and was able to encourage me.
So the next major step is coming up, I have done all the surgeon search blah, blah, blah. I am booked in with Dr Fadil Khaleal, at Nepean Private for the 6th May! So I have 2 weeks and 4 days to go: And trust me I am well and truly counting down. I am so excited and I wish I could fast forward already...

Hi All,
4 months since surgery today. I have lost 45kg total so far. Still have 80kg ish to go.
I have had stalls followed by drops and sometimes this is disappointing but the weight does move eventually to keep me focused.
My measurements are all coming down and my clothes are about at the point where they are too baggy. I have been through my clothes storage and am rediscovering clothes that have been locked away for many years.
I was away camping over Easter and found that I could get about a lot easier and walk uphill without feeling like I was going to die
Cheers for now
Halfy

It's been a long long time since I've come on the website. Update is that I've coasted over the past 18 months. I've dropped the ball, so to speak. I think I knew it, but kept saying..... On Monday I'll restart my exercise and healthier eating. I can't tell you how many Monday's were great....but lead to nothing Tuesday's that continued until the next time I realised I was slipping.
It's so so hard! I was banded jan 2012 sleeved sep 2012 reached goal weight oct 2013. I thought I would loose the weight, and with my new eating habits/work out habits I would beat the battle for life. Sadly that hasn't been the case. I find myself at mid March 2015, really giving myself the kick in the pants I've needed for 18 months.
9 kilos heavier then my lowest weight. I refuse to allow it to be 10! So today I went back to my half hour treadmill and chucked in half an hour of yoga. I Know others may say omg 9 kilos that's (small/huge) I think it's more about realising I'm heading bAck down a slippery slope, one I have been down and I refuse to walk again.
So here I am, back checking up on everyone else's journeys, and trying to motivate myself and draw inspiration from you lovely people again.
Let's hope I can turn it around and get back on track.

I am the one, that one that puts all the weight back on.
I was banded in march 2007 at 105kg Oh my god thats coming up to 8 yrs, where has the time gone??
I lost about 15kg That weight came off without really trying, then it stoped and I got caught up in the fill and more fill madness. I ended up unable to eat most foods and started on the sliders, not lot in quantity but they tended to be high cal. Then I went to America and Europe so had the fill out as at that stage I was worried about travel sickness vomiting slippage and blockages I couldn't find an insurance company that would cover the band and any complications in america. I had some fill put in and tried to juggle it so that I could have restriction but still eat salads and not get reflux/heart burn.
Hubby works at a hospital and in his job he comes across bandits that have slipped and eroded and worries about me, he would be happy if it was gone, I too worry about the long term effects of the band but am fearful of ballooning out if I didn't have the band and i am not keen to have further gastric surgery especially especially with the risks and my lack of ability to work with the band.
So 2015 I am 50yrs old, 110 kg developing some inflammation / arthritis in both my ankles and hands and desperately need to get back to a healthier and lighter me. So I guess I am asking for some support towards that goal.

So much has been going on in the past few weeks.....
My sister and friend have gone on a holiday to Egypt. Why they decided to go there ill never know. She has already been robbed and had cash stolen, lucky her passport and bank cards were locking in the hotel room. Then they had to get an army escort because they were being shot at. My poor mother is so worried and just wants her home. Only 2 more weeks....
My best mate (Darren) found out his dad has cancer from head to toe and they gave him 6 weeks, Darren and his fiance were due to have there baby in 6.5 weeks, they were devastated to think he wouldn't get to meet his granddaughter, funny enough she went into labor that night and at 3am the next day gave birth to a beautiful 4 pound baby girl, she had to stay in hospital for a few weeks but granddad is getting to spend some time with her. I have known him 20 years, to say i am sad or upset is an understatement.
We have had to put our house in Qld up for sale as our tenants are moving out and it has just become such an issue to look after it from down in Melbourne. We are going to lose a bit of money but i guess we just have to wear it. Also because the other half might not have a job in a couple of weeks, so cant afford the mortgage on both houses.
On better news my boyfriend and i are going to Hong Kong in a week, i am really looking forward to this as i haven't had a holiday in 2.5 years! It was booked before all this stuff was going on but i'm just going to enjoy it and not stress about everything else. I am really looking forward to going to Disneyland and a day trip over to Macau and the big Buddha.